Unlocking A Planet's Past

Title: Unlocking the Planet's Past

Author: Cota

Subject: Geology

Grade:   6th

Week: April 7-9

Unit/Lesson Plan #:  Ch. 24 Unit 8 lesson 2

Unit theme:

Investigates the geologic diversity of the Earth and introduces the theory of plate tectonics

Textbook references:

Learning objectives:

Geologsit make inferences about the past based on observations of the present.

The theory of continetal drift proposes that all of the continents were once joined together and have since gradually drifted apart.

The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the earths crust is made up of plates that are continually shifting.

Key Questions, Concepts, or Themes:

Asthensopshere

Core

Crust

Lithosphere

Mantle

Pangaea

Plates

Stage 1:

Have students make observations on our class rocks collections. Have them detail how the feel, what they look like:

Pretty, oddly chaped, fossils, shiny, colors (white, grey, brown, black, polished)

Stage 2:

Where do moutains come from?

Will the Earth ever erode away completely?

Whatcauses earthquakes?

Why are fish fossils found on moutians?

Will an ice age come again?

Why do volcanoes occur only in certian places?

Stage 3:

Homework: No homework in this class?

Worksheet for exploration 2

Assessments: (attach/link copies)

__ Group assessment

__ Observation of process/student work

__ Self-assessment by student

__ Teacher generated assignment

__ Written project

__ Test/Quiz

__ Other: ____________________________________